Monday, November 30, 2015

Cape & Islands Offer an Old Fashioned Christmas!

Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are the places to get away from the hustle and bustle of the malls and settle into a slower pace of church fairs, and Holiday Strolls featuring horse-drawn rides, hot cider (or better yet, chocolate) and carolers on lovely Main Streets of yesterday. Put away those credit cards, stay away from the malls and shopping plazas! Take a break from all the commercialism of the Holiday season and enjoy some old-fashioned Holiday magic in the spirit of family, friends and community.

A Seaside Christmas in Orleans: Events kick off on November 28 and run through December 31. Popular events include the annual Pancake Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at the Orleans Yacht Club, Santa's arrival at the cove, the annual candlelight stroll to and tree lighting at Village Green, and Lighting of the Windmill in East Orleans, the Santa Stampede 5k and Family Fun Run! Thanks to the Orleans Improvement Association's Holiday Decorating Contest, the local businesses are especially festive and lit up this year! Don't forget to check out Snow's extensive model train displays - sure to fascinate both young and old. The Events in Orleans continue all holiday season long with chowder festivals, arts & crafts, entertainment, performances, music and holiday gathering.

Visit Brewster for the Holidays with special events including the Wreath and Tree lighting at Drummer Boy Park, the Brewster Band in concert at the Brewster Baptist Church. Don't miss the Gala Family Holiday Party at the Cape Cod Natural History Museum! Enjoy the many shops and restaurants of Brewster all month long.

Falmouth offers more fun with Falmouth's Holidays by the Sea Weekend, December 4 thru 6, 2015. On Friday evening, make a joyful noise at the Holiday Carol Sing at Nobska Lighthouse. On Saturday, get up early for the 3rd Annual Jingle Jog 5K Run & Elf Run, then head over to the dock at Falmouth Harbor for the arrival of Santa by Sea as he sails into the harbor. Don't miss the lighting of the village green! Known as Southeastern Massachusetts’ largest holiday parade, the 51st Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade steps off at noon on Sunday. The parade features many walking groups, theme decorated floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and of course Santa Claus. Also, Falmouth Historical Society's offers Holiday Events at the Museums on the Green including a Christmas Traditions Tour.

The most popular Christmas Stroll event is the Nantucket Noel Christmas Stroll. Now, in it's 42nd year, 2015 Christmas Stroll - "The Heart of the Season" runs December 4 through December 6 The Nantucket Noel fun starts on Friday with the Friends of Nantucket Public Schools 33rd Annual Christmas Stroll House Tour. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Saturday via a Coast Guard vessel, where they then join in a festive parade up Main Street. Carolers, bell ringers and student choirs as well as other performers entertain all who are wandering Main Street. Make sure to hop aboard the Nantucket Sleigh Ride, boarding in front of the Whaling Museum on Saturday. Back this year is a European-style "Christmas Market" with 15 non-profits offering foods and gifts. Don't miss the 22nd Annual Festival of Trees running throughout December at the Whaling Museum.

Christmas in Edgartown is a Vineyard tradition. This year's events run Thursday December 10 through Sunday December 13. Watch the annual parade, and then look for unique gifts at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair at the Edgartown School. Grab some food at the Chili Bar at Edgartown Council on Aging on Friday! Don't miss the MVRHS Minnesingers Annual Holiday Concerts held at The Old Whaling Church on Friday and Saturday. Lighting of the Christmas Tree on the Village Green, complete with Christmas Carolers, takes place on Saturday at 4:30. Kids can BYOB (BEAR that is!) to the Teddy Bear Suite fundraiser for the Martha's Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. Too much fun to mention here, so visit edgartownboardoftrade.com for a complete listing of holiday events.

Harwich offers Christmas in Harwich events starting on Friday Dec 4, with the Harwich Port Stroll at 5:30 pm. Tree Lighting, Santa's arrival on a fire truck, horse-drawn carriage rides, all make for a magical New England evening. On Saturday a pancake breakfast, bazaars, sing-a-longs, exhibits and open houses fill the day along with First Congregational Church Christmas Concert, the Polar Express Trolley Tour and HarwichPort and East Harwich strolls in the afternoon. Sunday offerings include a Service of Lessons & Carols at Christ Church Episcopal; a Free Christmas Concert with Crabgrass Bluegrass Band at the Brooks Free Library and a "Classical and Contemporary Christmas Music and Carol Sing-A-Long" at the First Congregational Church - all are welcome!

Sandwich Holly Days, a month long event that transforms the town into a winter wonderland, provides family friendly events that support the local stores, restaurants and museums. Events include -Breakfast with Santa, Lighting of the Littlest Tree, Community Carol Sing, Cookie Stroll and much more! Check the Holly Days Calendar for a complete event schedule of concerts, caroling, tree lighting, craft fairs, Polar Express train rides, wine & food tastings, and much more!

Several local groups are performing music, dance, and theater! Favorites include... Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra's Annual "Holiday Pops Spectacular" - note: order tickets early as this show will sell out! Coastal Dance Company is dancing Coppelia; Cotuit Center for the Arts presents, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - show runs 4 weekends. Local actors and actresses take the stage at Harwich Junior Theatre for a 4 week run of Oliver. Celebrate the majesty of the winter season on Friday, December 4 with Cape Cod Community College's "Music for a Winter's Eve" - concert includes a mix of jazz and seasonal favorites by the 4C's Jazz Combo and the Select Chorus, and new this year, the Rock n' Roll Club - A donation of household products to help support local food banks is your ticket to the concert. Chatham Chorale performs "A Cathedral Christmas"; Cape Cod Chorale sings a "Winter Wonderland:Silly and Serious Seasonal Songs"; Outer Cape Chorale presents "Classical Jazz!"... It's just not Christmas without the battle of the Nutcracker - several local dance schools are performing variations of the traditional ballet. The West Parish Music Board presents "Cantata for Christmas: A NIGHT FOR REJOICING", featuring Choir & Hand-bells and more. Check out Cape Cod Music for additional concerts!